For this purpose, the Greek Ministry of Tourism, which wishes to increase tourist arrivals to the country, has rapidly begun efforts to increase the number of Turkish tourists. Greek Deputy Minister of Tourism George Nikitiades, who participated as a speaker in the "Seatrade" meetings where the cruise bosses controlling the $90 billion global cruise tourism industry met in Istanbul yesterday, stated in a declaration to Sabah that they would accelerate visa processes with a visa office they will establish in Antalya.
Nikitiades stated that they would accelerate all the paperwork for the office they will open in Antalya on their own behalf for the Schengen visa, which takes days, and that they could even issue a visa within a single day. Emphasizing that this visa would not be for day-trip entry to the Greek islands but would be a long-term Schengen visa, such as 6 months to 1 year, Nikitiades said that Turkish tourists show great interest in the Greek islands and that their spending satisfies them. The Greek Deputy Minister also gave the good news that the fast visa application process would soon begin with the office in Antalya, and announced that they would carry out work to open an office in Bodrum following Antalya.
TARGETING RUSSIAN TOURISTS AS WELL
George Nikitiades, explaining to the visa office that their targets are not only Turkish tourists but also Russian tourists, said, "Russian tourists coming to Antalya want to see the Greek Islands, even if only for a day trip. However, they are not waiting two days for a Schengen visa. We will accelerate the procedures for them as well."